Angela's Picks- Vintage Beads!

I have always had a love for vintage items. There's something about antique shopping that I love. I was recently on a family vacation in California and when I came across a vintage antique store in Sonoma County I was pleasantly surprised. Little did I know I was about to find something I loved even more than antiques, beads! Who knew I could combine two of my favorite things! I had to bring them back for my boutique, of course.

These vintage beads are called "Bakelite" beads. They are the earliest form of plastic made from synthetic materials. They are made of a resin invented by Leo Baekeland in 1907. These particular beads also have Swarovski crystals in them. Bakelite is an extremely collectible kind of bead. The retro appeal of old Bakelite products and labor intensive manufacturing has made them quite collectible in recent years.

 

I am attracted to these beads not just because they are rare collectibles and antiques but also because they are different, unique and very attractive to the eye. I love to have things in the boutique that you can't find anywhere and that's what these beads are. They come in several different colors and the detailing on the bead is intricate and exquisite. They are sold by the strand and priced from $10.50-$12.50

Girls Night Out Event

Please join Cela Creations and other participating La Grange merchants this Thursday evening for special sales all night long! 6:00-10:00pm.  Don't miss our Fall preview of new merchandise. New merchandise coming in daily. Sales include new items! Wine and lite bites of course!

Check out pictures from the event: Event Photos

Angela's Favorite Picks

The fall inventory is starting to come in to the boutique. I am very excited about a lot of pieces that are in the new inventory, but a particular handbag line has caught my eye. These Danielle Nicole handbags are chic and fabulous and I couldn't be more excited to have them in the boutique this fall.

I found these bags at the accessory show in New York. I was able to meet the designer in person, Danielle Nicole herself, which is rare. She was a very kind and genuine woman, she even answers the phone herself when you call to reorder. 

I love these bags because of the exceptional quality and reasonable price. They are incredibly fashion forward and trendy. The bowling bag shape was even rated #1 in fall handbag trends by InStyle Magazine. My favorite in the collection is the black and bronze shoppers tote. 

Visit the designer's blog for more details on these fabulous bags: http://danielle-nicole.myshopify.com/blogs/news

Brooch bouquet

Many brides to be come into my boutique looking for unique jewelry for their weddings. I have many who ask me for custom pieces so they have something special for their big day. Recently a bride came in asking for an especially unique custom piece, a brooch bouquet. I discovered that these bouquets are the new wedding craze. Brides everywhere are going crazy over the idea of a one of a kind piece of art custom made for them to carry on their wedding day.

These bouquets can be made from all sorts of brooches and various jewelry pieces. This particular bride to be had a collection of unique antique brooches handed down from her grandmother and aunts that she wanted fashioned into a bouquet for her wedding. Brides to be can bring their own collection to the boutique or choose from the merchandise in the boutique. I have even heard of brides that ask their friends and family to give brooches as a shower gift so they can all be represented in her bouquet.

Ribbon may be added to the bouquet to bring it all together and add tie it into the bridal theme. The finishing touches can also be customized to the bride however she wishes. The jewelry pieces added to the bouquet don't always have to be brooches, if there are other sentimental jewelry items they can be added in some way as well. For example, I decided to add the brides mothers necklace to the bottom of the bouquet  for added decor, then finished off the bow with two rhinestone heart earrings that were part of this bride to be's antique collection. 

The reason the brooch bouquet is so special for a wedding day is because it tells a story. These brooches are all specifically picked by the bride to be featured in her bouquet for a reason adding sentimental value to a bouquet. It really is a one of a kind piece because it can not be duplicated the same way ever again. The bouquets also last forever. They are a part of a wedding day that can be displayed and enjoyed by the bride and groom as a symbol of their day which was so special to them.